Description
Mark 10:35-45
How do we measure greatness? Our world tends to define greatness in terms of power, privilege, and prestige. We measure the importance of a person by external markers – the house they own, the car they drive, the ostentatious nature of their lifestyle. We are impressed by the people’s visible achievements: their prestigious honors and academic degrees, the importance of their profession, and sometimes even the accomplishments of their children. James and John, brothers, and disciples of Jesus, were not so different -as we can see in this passage. They sought favored positions for themselves, directly asking for the seats at Jesus’ right and left hands when we came into his kingdom. But Jesus’ kingdom is nothing light that of this world. When Jesus speaks of greatness he inevitably links it with service. As he said to James and John, that which makes us great is not our ability to rule over others, but, rather, our ability to invest ourselves for the welfare of others. For Jesus greatness is defined by total, unconditional trust in God. What is more, greatness is measured in service, in spending our lives for the sake of others.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Pastor / Worship Leader
We greet you in the name of Jesus Christ! Thank you for joining us this morning, our prayer is that you encounter the Living God, whose blessings are new every morning.
Time of Praise and Worship
Build My Life
Brett Younker, Karl Martin, Kirby Elizabeth Kaple, Matt Redman, and Pat Barrett © 2016 Martin, Karl Andrew, Kaple Music, Capitol CMG Genesis, Housefires Sounds, Said And Done Music, sixsteps Music, Thankyou Music, worshiptogether.com songs, Bethel Music Publishing
Great Are You Lord
David Leonard, Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan, © 2012 Integrity’s Alleluia! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Chain Breaker
Jonathan Smith, Mia Fieldes, and Zach Williams, © 2015 Anthems of Hope (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Not Just Another Song Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Upside Down Under (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Wisteria Drive (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
[Traditional Options]
Son of God, Eternal Savior
ELW 655; LBW 364; LSB 842; LW 394; NCH 542
Come To Calvary’s Holy Mountain
HFG 276; LBW 301; LSB 435; LW 96
Christ is Made the Sure Foundation
BH91 356; CH 403; CHH 275; EH 518; ELW 645; HS98 865; HWC 276; HFG 557; LBW 367; LSB 909; NCH 400; PH 416,417; STTL 671; WC 699; UMH 559; WOV 747
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Holy Lord, Your tent is wide enough to provide shelter for all who seek you, food for all who hunger, and healing for all who suffer. Meet us here today, and fill us with confidence in your presence, that we may risk sharing Jesus’ cup and his baptism so the world may become the place of love and justice you desire for all. Shelter us with your light, and clothe us with your heavenly garments. Teach us how we may best serve You and one another today and each day.
Worshipers
Amen.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Jesus, we gather here to worship you and praise you. But you also call us to follow you. Jesus asks us: “Can you drink the cup that I drink?”
Worshipers
We drink from the cup of Jesus’ own life: struggle and joy; suffering and hope. Fullness of life!.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We come here to drawn near to Jesus, but He calls us further still. Jesus asks us: “Can you be baptized with my baptism?”
Worshipers
We are baptized into the reign of God, where the Spirit teaches us that to be great we must be a servant of all!
Pastor / Worship Leader
It is in Your holy presence, Lord, that we ask ourselves, why are we here?
Worshipers
We are here to drink the cup of fullness of life; to immerse ourselves in Jesus’ example and way of life; to learn how to serve one another in love and humility. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Jesus, Friend and Saviour, we confess that all too often we find pleasure in lording it over others—even here in church—and we need to hear you speak these words about the true meaning of greatness directly to us.
Worshipers
Unclog our ears and tenderize our hearts so that your words enliven our discipleship; so that we put the needs of others before our own needs; so that we share what we have rather than hoarding it for ourselves, and use our gifts to benefit others rather than increasing our own status and position.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, Jesus Christ, keep reminding us that following you means emptying ourselves of all self-serving power and filling ourselves with the desire to serve others as willingly as you did. Forgive any reluctance on our part to follow your example; replace any selfish power-plays of ours with your inclusive love, your compassion, and your humility. These prayers we offer in your name and for your sake.
Worshipers
Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Jeremiah 31:31-34
God never intended the Law to only be an external list of rules and regulations for His people to follow. His ultimate plan was always to put His word within the human heart and mind – a covenant of indwelling relationship between God Almighty and His people.
The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt–a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
